“He said, ‘People need glue’ and then he hung up. That means he’s turning Sydney and Jasper to glue! They’re totally totally freaked out but when they try to talk to him, he just hangs up. And when they try to call him again, he doesn’t answer.”

“Angry at them,” I said.

“He’s like turned into a monster, like who is this? They love Sydney and Jasper. Glue?”

“That is cold,” said Milo. “They had no idea he’d do something like that.”

“Nothing!” said Laura Smith. “It’s like they … like he’s a zombie dad, who ate their real dad, is like inhabiting his brain and his body.”

“They’re scared of him,” I said. “That’s why they left and are using prepaids.”

“He’s the one taught them about that.”

“Prepaids?”

“He always has ’em, like when he wants to call out but doesn’t want anyone bothering him.”

I said, “They’re scared of more than the horses.”

Silence.

“They need help, Laura. The only way they can get it is if we know the facts.”

She looked away.

I said, “You have reason not to like the cops but the cops didn’t turn Sydney and Jasper into glue and the cops aren’t going to hurt Ashley and Marissa. So—”

“They think he coulda did it!”

“Did what?”

“It,” said Laura. “Her. You know.”

“Their mom.”

Three nods. “They didn’t think that before but maybe now.”

“What changed their minds?”

“They like … wondered about it in the beginning because they used to hate each other—their mom and dad. But then they said no way, he’s our dad. But then he turned into a zombie and took Sydney and Jasper and everything in the house and talked mean to them.”

“So they split and let you stay here.”

She shrugged. “My dad’s mad at me. I cracked his car up again.”

“When did Ashley and Marissa leave town, Laura?”

“Like two days ago.”

“You have no idea where they went.”

“They said they’d tell me when they got there but they didn’t.”

“They haven’t tried to contact you.”

“Uh-uh. No.”

We waited.

She said, “No. Really.” Serious. No more snotty bifurcation of words.

Milo said, “If you do find out, is there any chance you’d tell me?”

Fear and skepticism fought for control of her pretty face.

“Laura, we’re here because we want to keep them safe.”

No answer. He gave her his card. She mouthed Homicide. “They talked about Vegas, but I don’t know. If they call me, I’ll tell them.”

I said, “Thanks. And one more thing: Have you considered that by staying here you could be putting yourself in danger?”

“Why?”

“If Mr. Corey is that weird—”

She turned pale. “Oh. I need to book. I’m outta here, Daddy will be cool, he always is.”

Milo said, “Get your stuff, we’ll see you out.”